I've read a lot of posts on Yeast Washing, as well as exploring some other sites. I have the 1084 Wyeast from the Imperial Stout's primary carboy in the fridge. It's been there for about two weeks. It has separated into a lot of sludge and a little liquid on top.

I plan on dumping the liquid on top, adding water, and shaking it up, like I've read to do. But here's what concerns me. They say to wait for it to settle out, and dump the water off the sludge, and save the water. So, my question is, do the other things you don't want in there settle to the bottom faster than yeast, or did I just read this wrong, and you want to save the sludge, which seems right to me.

__________________Up next: Big Brew Off competition between me and Kaptain Karma as one team, and my two roommates as another--We'll be brewing Pale Ales with specifications on malts, hops, and total yeild to see who's version is better (and to end up with ten total gallons of great beer).
Also up soon: Belgian Dubbel
Primary: Grampa's Woodshed Apple Smoked Porter
Secondary: Zombiefoot California Common, Chocolate Strong Porter
Drinking: Seamus O'Drunkagan Irish Red, Humble Pie Imperial Stout, Capricorn IPA

Generally speaking, the non-yeast settles faster. I usually dump my trub with some water into a big 1g pitcher my wife has and let it settle for an hour. By then there's a pretty decent trub on the bottom of the pitcher and I decant the lighter liquid into as many jars as I want to save and refrigerate them. After a day or two there is a 1/4" or so whitish-tan yeast cake on the bottom with clear amber liquid above it (which I decant prior to making a starter).

Thanks everyone. I'm going to try this soon. If it is contaminated in the process, is there a way to know this before I use it?

__________________Up next: Big Brew Off competition between me and Kaptain Karma as one team, and my two roommates as another--We'll be brewing Pale Ales with specifications on malts, hops, and total yeild to see who's version is better (and to end up with ten total gallons of great beer).
Also up soon: Belgian Dubbel
Primary: Grampa's Woodshed Apple Smoked Porter
Secondary: Zombiefoot California Common, Chocolate Strong Porter
Drinking: Seamus O'Drunkagan Irish Red, Humble Pie Imperial Stout, Capricorn IPA

The best way to tell if it's bad is to smell it. If that doesn't work...taste it.

Of course, the bad thing about this is you have to know what you are tasting for. This is one of the reasons I sample everything at every stage.

OK, I'm picky, but I'm not anal.

On the other hand...you may get a kick out of this...I like tomato juice, soup and BLENDED salsa...I DO NOT like tomatoes or catsup...I like oranges...I DO NOT like orange juice...I like pineapples...I DO NOT like pineapple juice...I like grapefuit...I DO NOT like grapefuit juice...I like apple juice...I DO NOT like apples...I like mushroom gravy...I DO NOT like mushrooms...there's more so I won't bore you any further...but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night and I LIKE BEER A WHOLE LOT!!!

That's some funny stuff. I like all things tomato except for catsup. Catsup is the most vile condiment on god's green earth. Down with catsup!

Oh, and about the yeast wash... There was ice on top of my sample. Is that going to kill the yeast. My instincts say it might not kill them but it might mess with the flavor it produces.

__________________Up next: Big Brew Off competition between me and Kaptain Karma as one team, and my two roommates as another--We'll be brewing Pale Ales with specifications on malts, hops, and total yeild to see who's version is better (and to end up with ten total gallons of great beer).
Also up soon: Belgian Dubbel
Primary: Grampa's Woodshed Apple Smoked Porter
Secondary: Zombiefoot California Common, Chocolate Strong Porter
Drinking: Seamus O'Drunkagan Irish Red, Humble Pie Imperial Stout, Capricorn IPA

Catsup is excellent unless its Heinz! Then it sux! Just like the democrate ho who ownes the company. Down with liberals......

That statement is totally uncalled for on this forum...there are plenty of places on the net where political discussions are appropriate, both considered and drunken. Please don't ruin this place for the rest of us.

That statement is totally uncalled for on this forum...there are plenty of places on the net where political discussions are appropriate, both considered and drunken. Please don't ruin this place for the rest of us.